Three UMSL volleyball players made All-GLVC teams this year including (from left) Weslie Gaff (second team), Erin Higgins (second team) and Chelsea Burkle (third team).
A trio of University of Missouri–St. Louis Tritons volleyball players now shares the distinction of All-Great Lakes Valley Conference teammates.
Senior middle hitter Weslie Gaff and senior opposite side hitter Erin Higgins were tabbed to the All-GLVC Second Team, while sophomore outside hitter Chelsea Burkle was a third team selection.
The group helped UMSL to a 19-9 record and a 13-5 record in GLVC, placing second in the West Division. The Tritons earned a bid to their sixth straight and 13th overall GLVC Tournament last weekend in Indianapolis. UMSL, the league’s No. 6 seed, lost in the quarterfinal round Friday (Nov. 11) against No. 3 seed Missouri University of Science and Technology (Rolla).
Gaff, who earned first team Axll-GLVC accolades in each of her first three seasons, is the Tritons’ co-team leader in kills, averaging 2.86 per set. She also leads the squad in hitting percentage (.353) and is second in blocks (0.71 bps). Nationally in NCAA Division II, Gaff ranks 29th in hitting percentage, which is also third best in the GLVC, and ranks as the seventh best single season figure in program history.
In 18 GLVC matches, Gaff hit at a .350 clip, which ranked fifth, and averaged 2.92 kills and 0.70 blocks per set.
She will graduate ranked among UMSL’s top five in five different career categories and currently ranks second all-time in hitting percentage with a .331 clip, is third in block solos with 100, third in block assists with 273, fourth in total blocks with 373 and fourth in career kills with 1,133. Gaff became the sixth member of UMSL’s 1,000 career kill club in a 3-0 loss at the University of Indianapolis on Oct. 9.
Higgins, a three-time All-GLVC selection, is UMSL’s co-team leader in kills, averaging 2.86 per set. She also adds 0.62 blocks per set, while attacking the ball at a .209 percentage.
In 18 GLVC matches, Higgins averaged 2.97 kills and 0.70 blocks per set, while hitting .238.
She currently ranks fifth in career block assists with 242, seventh in program history in career kills with 1,020 and sixth in career kill attempts (2,062). She joined the 1,000 kill club in a 3-1 victory at William Jewell on October 29.
Burkle earned All-GLVC honors for the first time in her career after posting 2.64 kills, 1.73 digs and 0.51 blocks per set. She also hit .168 and is second on the team in service aces with 25.
In 18 GLVC matches, Burkle averaged 2.76 kills, 1.65 digs and 0.55 blocks per set, while hitting .193 and recording 14 service aces.
